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Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 09:12 PM Feb 2015

Hundreds of DNA matches as Houston clears rape kit backlog

Source: Associated Press

Hundreds of DNA matches as Houston clears rape kit backlog
By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press | February 23, 2015

HOUSTON (AP) — Evidence from more than 6,600 rape kits that went untested for years in Houston have turned up 850 hits in the FBI's nationwide database of DNA profiles, marking a major step in the city's $6 million effort to address the backlog, officials announced Monday.

Charges have been filed against 29 people, six of whom have been convicted, since the city launched an effort in 2013 to test 6,663 rape kits — some of which dated back nearly three decades. Testing was completed in the fall, and the results have now been uploaded to a database used by investigators nationwide to compare DNA profiles of possible suspects, Mayor Annise Parker said.

"This milestone is of special importance to rape survivors and their families and friends because it means their cases are receiving the attention they should have years ago," Parker said at a news conference, where she joined local law enforcement officials to announce the results.

Police are continuing to review the matches to see if charges can be filed in other cases. In the cases where prosecutors have won convictions, defendants have received sentences ranging from 2 to 45 years in prison. One case was dismissed after the victim decided not to pursue the case.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Hundreds-of-DNA-matches-as-Houston-clears-rape-6097236.php

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Hundreds of DNA matches as Houston clears rape kit backlog (Original Post) Judi Lynn Feb 2015 OP
"some of which dated back nearly three decades."! n/t PoliticAverse Feb 2015 #1
30 years ago, labs were slow and matching was done manually Warpy Feb 2015 #2
I still can't wrap my head around these backlogs. Lucky Luciano Feb 2015 #3
Marijuana billhicks76 Feb 2015 #4
Sure seems that way - sadly. nt Lucky Luciano Feb 2015 #5
Other than the obvious one of how the hell did this happen my other question is there much hope for cstanleytech Feb 2015 #6
All depends on what Texas law is in terms of iandhr Feb 2015 #7
Total bullshit, too. F4lconF16 Feb 2015 #11
No doubt. iandhr Feb 2015 #13
I find it interesting that houston was able to clear its backlog, finally, and other cities are niyad Feb 2015 #8
"because women simply don't count" F4lconF16 Feb 2015 #12
Texas. eom whereisjustice Feb 2015 #9
No one cared, it was a crime against women, no big deal to some but the victims feel differently. Thinkingabout Feb 2015 #10
To delay justice is injustice, Alkene Feb 2015 #14

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
2. 30 years ago, labs were slow and matching was done manually
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 09:19 PM
Feb 2015

so there was an excuse back then for not chasing down all of them, the system, such as it was, was completely overwhelmed.

There is no excuse now. All cities need to do this one and when they're done, the states can follow.

Lucky Luciano

(11,242 posts)
3. I still can't wrap my head around these backlogs.
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 09:32 PM
Feb 2015

I mean what the ever living fuck was the raped woman told about the progress made with the rape kit?!

 

billhicks76

(5,082 posts)
4. Marijuana
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 09:50 PM
Feb 2015

They were busy seizing people's assets who had marijuana in their possession. They don't care about women or people in general. It's a racket and they have been given too much power.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
6. Other than the obvious one of how the hell did this happen my other question is there much hope for
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 10:01 PM
Feb 2015

securing convictions on any of them that are 10+ years or older?

iandhr

(6,852 posts)
7. All depends on what Texas law is in terms of
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 10:58 PM
Feb 2015

statue of limitations. 50 states 50 different sets of laws.

F4lconF16

(3,747 posts)
11. Total bullshit, too.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:07 AM
Feb 2015

The cops don't do their job so your rapist goes on his merry way. Then 30 years later, after there's a very good chance he went out and continued raping people (...), you're left to the random state statutes of limitation.

That's a bunch of crap.

iandhr

(6,852 posts)
13. No doubt.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 01:07 AM
Feb 2015

Agree with you 100%


I am sure some states don't have statute of limitations on rape. I am unaware what Texas law is on the subject. Maybe some else can enlighten us.

niyad

(112,424 posts)
8. I find it interesting that houston was able to clear its backlog, finally, and other cities are
Mon Feb 23, 2015, 11:04 PM
Feb 2015

have only managed to clear about 20 % in that same time.

how many serial rapists have been free to rape again and again because women simply don't count?

Alkene

(752 posts)
14. To delay justice is injustice,
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 05:41 AM
Feb 2015

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 01:50 PM - Edit history (2)

especially in a land of undertaxed wealth, unemployed/underemployed biotechnologists and bioinformatic techs.

But that would require a sense of priority in rape criminology.

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